Kurt Wallander – Sweden’s number one fictional detective – is set to return to television screens around the world in three feature-length adaptations of Henning Mankell’s original novels.
Described as a reimagining of the iconic detective, the new series will star Gustaf Skarsgård – previously Floki from Vikings – in the titular role. We’ll meet Kurt at the age of 42, separated from his wife and estranged from his daughter – too much whisky, too little sleep, constantly anxious about his work. The show will focus more closely on the character’s inner journey than ever before.
We’re already intrigued to see how the new rendition compares to Krister Henriksson’s excellent portrayal of Wallander between 2005 and 2013. During that period, the Wallander television series and books helped drive the popularity of Nordic noir in the UK and around the world.
The new series will be based on the novels One Step Behind, Side Tracked and Faceless Killers by Henning Mankell, Wallander’s creator who passed away in 2015. It’s interesting to note that the remake may start with the seventh book, rather than the first, if the shows are presented in that order. The series has sold 40 million books worldwide and been translated into more than 40 languages.
“Wallander is one of the most iconic global crime brands in television, and this landmark reimagining delivers everything contemporary audiences are looking for – fast-paced crimes and high emotional stakes. With Gustaf Skarsgård in the legendary role, and its revived contemporary lens, this latest version is an exciting proposition for those seeking a new premium crime series for international audiences,” says Simon Cox of Banijay Rights.
“Wallander set in today is not just a strong and intuitive detective, but also a complex, vulnerable character struggling as a father, partner and friend. Gustaf Skarsgård gives us a relatable character packed with nerve, intuition and emotion. But most of all we want these new films to be suspense thrillers filled with unpredictability, struggle and the sense of constantly being in a pressure-cooker,” says Elin Kvist of Jarowskij/Yellow Bird.
Production has only just begun so a launch date hasn’t been announced, but you can count on us to keep you posted. In the meantime, it might be worth going back to source – check out our complete (well, it was til now) guide to Wallander, here.
